| Years | rank | Population | 2024 Population | City | % Correct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 2nd | 8,728 | 197,580 | Montgomery | 100%
|
| 1860 | 2nd | 9,004 | 197,580 | Montgomery | 100%
|
| 1870 | 2nd | 11,132 | 197,580 | Montgomery | 100%
|
| 1880 | 2nd | 16,713 | 197,580 | Montgomery | 100%
|
| 1890 | 3rd | 22,028 | 197,580 | Montgomery | 100%
|
| 1900 | 2nd | 30,536 | 197,580 | Montgomery | 100%
|
| 1910 | 3rd | 38,820 | 197,580 | Montgomery | 100%
|
| 1920 | 3rd | 43,647 | 197,580 | Montgomery | 100%
|
| 1930 | 3rd | 66,393 | 197,580 | Montgomery | 100%
|
| 1940 | 3rd | 78,102 | 197,580 | Montgomery | 100%
|
| 1950 | 3rd | 108,389 | 197,580 | Montgomery | 100%
|
| 1960 | 3rd | 137,559 | 197,580 | Montgomery | 100%
|
| 1970 | 4th | 132,952 | 197,580 | Montgomery | 100%
|
| 1980 | 3rd | 178,200 | 197,580 | Montgomery | 100%
|
| 1990 | 3rd | 187,400 | 197,580 | Montgomery | 100%
|
| 2000 | 2nd | 202,200 | 197,580 | Montgomery | 100%
|
| 2010 | 2nd | 206,288 | 197,580 | Montgomery | 100%
|
| 2020 | 3rd | 200,887 | 197,580 | Montgomery | 100%
|
| 1890 | 2nd | 26,448 | 195,404 | Birmingham | 91%
|
| 1900 | 1st (Tie) | 38,700 | 195,404 | Birmingham | 91%
|
| 1910 | 1st^ | 134,390 | 195,404 | Birmingham | 91%
|
| 1920 | 1st | 180,303 | 195,404 | Birmingham | 91%
|
| 1930 | 1st | 261,283 | 195,404 | Birmingham | 91%
|
| 1940 | 1st | 274,494 | 195,404 | Birmingham | 91%
|
| 1950 | 1st | 328,389 | 195,404 | Birmingham | 91%
|
| 1960 | 1st | 351,493 | 195,404 | Birmingham | 91%
|
| 1970 | 1st | 302,045 | 195,404 | Birmingham | 91%
|
| 1980 | 1st | 282,293 | 195,404 | Birmingham | 91%
|
| 1990 | 1st | 262,258 | 195,404 | Birmingham | 91%
|
| 2000 | 1st | 241,557 | 195,404 | Birmingham | 91%
|
| 2010 | 1st | 211,829 | 195,404 | Birmingham | 91%
|
| 2020 | 2nd | 201,934 | 195,404 | Birmingham | 91%
|
| 1880 | 7th | 3,086 | 195,404 (Neighborhood) | Elyton | 91%
|
| 2000 | 9th | 44,100 | 86,779 | Auburn | 82%
|
| 2010 | 9th | 53,889 | 86,779 | Auburn | 82%
|
| 2020 | 7th | 77,903 | 86,779 | Auburn | 82%
|
| 1850 | 3rd | 3,239 | 247,839 | Huntsville | 82%
|
| 1860 | 4th | 3,738 | 247,839 | Huntsville | 82%
|
| 1870 | 4th | 4,907 | 247,839 | Huntsville | 82%
|
| 1880 | 4th | 5,393 | 247,839 | Huntsville | 82%
|
| 1890 | 5th | 8,048 | 247,839 | Huntsville | 82%
|
| 1900 | 5th | 8,139 | 247,839 | Huntsville | 82%
|
| 1910 | 9th | 8,239 | 247,839 | Huntsville | 82%
|
| 1960 | 4th | 78,930 | 247,839 | Huntsville | 82%
|
| 1970 | 3rd | 144,117 | 247,839 | Huntsville | 82%
|
| 1980 | 4th | 144,925 | 247,839 | Huntsville | 82%
|
| 1990 | 4th | 161,229 | 247,839 | Huntsville | 82%
|
| 2000 | 4th | 163,954 | 247,839 | Huntsville | 82%
|
| 2010 | 4th | 181,934 | 247,839 | Huntsville | 82%
|
| 2020 | 1st | 216,128 | 247,839 | Huntsville | 82%
|
| 1850 | 1st | 20,515 | 203,239 | Mobile | 82%
|
| 1860 | 1st | 30,110 | 203,239 | Mobile | 82%
|
| 1870 | 1st | 32,034 | 203,239 | Mobile | 82%
|
| 1880 | 1st | 29,303 | 203,239 | Mobile | 82%
|
| 1890 | 1st | 31,337 | 203,239 | Mobile | 82%
|
| 1900 | 1st (Tie) | 38,700 | 203,239 | Mobile | 82%
|
| 1910 | 2nd | 51,738 | 203,239 | Mobile | 82%
|
| 1920 | 2nd | 61,283 | 203,239 | Mobile | 82%
|
| 1930 | 2nd | 70,292 | 203,239 | Mobile | 82%
|
| 1940 | 2nd | 79,394 | 203,239 | Mobile | 82%
|
| 1950 | 2nd | 131,192 | 203,239 | Mobile | 82%
|
| 1960 | 2nd | 205,349 | 203,239 | Mobile | 82%
|
| 1970 | 2nd | 191,394 | 203,239 | Mobile | 82%
|
| 1980 | 2nd | 201,034 | 203,239 | Mobile | 82%
|
| 1990 | 2nd | 197,807 | 203,239 | Mobile | 82%
|
| 2000 | 3rd | 200,029 | 203,239 | Mobile | 82%
|
| 2010 | 3rd | 194,955 | 203,239 | Mobile | 82%
|
| 2020 | 4th | 200,408 | 203,239 | Mobile | 82%
|
| 1850 | 4th | 2,919 | 117,105 | Tuscaloosa | 82%
|
| 1860 | 3rd | 4,024 | 117,105 | Tuscaloosa | 82%
|
| 1880 | 9th | 2,457 | 117,105 | Tuscaloosa | 82%
|
| 1900 | 8th | 5,149 | 117,105 | Tuscaloosa | 82%
|
| 1910 | 8th | 8,407 | 117,105 | Tuscaloosa | 82%
|
| 1920 | 8th | 12,203 | 117,105 | Tuscaloosa | 82%
|
| 1930 | 6th | 21,034 | 117,105 | Tuscaloosa | 82%
|
| 1940 | 5th | 27,728 | 117,105 | Tuscaloosa | 82%
|
| 1950 | 5th | 47,229 | 117,105 | Tuscaloosa | 82%
|
| 1960 | 5th | 64,849 | 117,105 | Tuscaloosa | 82%
|
| 1970 | 5th | 66,474 | 117,105 | Tuscaloosa | 82%
|
| 1980 | 5th | 75,884 | 117,105 | Tuscaloosa | 82%
|
| 1990 | 5th | 78,945 | 117,105 | Tuscaloosa | 82%
|
| 2000 | 5th | 80,383 | 117,105 | Tuscaloosa | 82%
|
| 2010 | 5th | 91,337 | 117,105 | Tuscaloosa | 82%
|
| 2020 | 5th | 101,290 | 117,105 | Tuscaloosa | 82%
|
| 1890 | 4th | 10,494 | 21,389 | Anniston | 55%
|
| 1900 | 3rd | 10,195 | 21,389 | Anniston | 55%
|
| 1910 | 5th | 12,894 | 21,384 | Anniston | 55%
|
| 1920 | 5th | 17,930 | 21,385 | Anniston | 55%
|
| 1930 | 5th | 22,459 | 21,385 | Anniston | 55%
|
| 1940 | 6th | 26,103 | 21,385 | Anniston | 55%
|
| 1950 | 6th | 31,384 | 21,385 | Anniston | 55%
|
| 1960 | 8th | 34,390 | 21,385 | Anniston | 55%
|
| 1910 | 10th | 7,048 | 70,398 | Dothan | 55%
|
| 1920 | 10th | 10,102 | 70,398 | Dothan | 55%
|
| 1930 | 9th | 16,200 | 70,398 | Dothan | 55%
|
| 1940 | 9th | 17,309 | 70,398 | Dothan | 55%
|
| 1970 | 9th | 36,888 | 70,398 | Dothan | 55%
|
| 1980 | 6th | 50,103 | 70,398 | Dothan | 55%
|
| 1990 | 6th | 54,494 | 70,398 | Dothan | 55%
|
| 2000 | 7th | 57,930 | 70,398 | Dothan | 55%
|
| 2010 | 7th | 65,585 | 70,398 | Dothan | 55%
|
| 2020 | 8th | 71,223 | 70,398 | Dothan | 55%
|
| 1990 | 9th | 40,139 | 92,227 | Hoover | 55%
|
| 2000 | 6th | 63,804 | 92,227 | Hoover | 55%
|
| 2010 | 6th | 82,824 | 92,227 | Hoover | 55%
|
| 2020 | 6th | 93,004 | 92,227 | Hoover | 55%
|
| 1860 | 10th | 1,398 | 43,393 | Florence | 45%
|
| 1870 | 8th | 2,130 | 43,393 | Florence | 45%
|
| 1890 | 8th | 6,102 | 43,393 | Florence | 45%
|
| 1900 | 6th | 6,639 | 43,393 | Florence | 45%
|
| 1920 | 9th | 10,847 | 43,393 | Florence | 45%
|
| 1950 | 8th | 24,749 | 43,393 | Florence | 45%
|
| 1960 | 10th | 32,293 | 43,393 | Florence | 45%
|
| 1970 | 10th | 34,193 | 43,393 | Florence | 45%
|
| 1980 | 10th | 37,440 | 43,393 | Florence | 45%
|
| 1990 | 10th | 36,738 | 43,393 | Florence | 45%
|
| 1850 | 5th | 1,744 | 16,484 | Selma | 45%
|
| 1860 | 5th | 3,293 | 16,484 | Selma | 45%
|
| 1870 | 3rd | 6,484 | 16,484 | Selma | 45%
|
| 1880 | 3rd | 7,529 | 16,484 | Selma | 45%
|
| 1890 | 6th | 7,729 | 16,484 | Selma | 45%
|
| 1900 | 4th | 9,000 | 16,484 | Selma | 45%
|
| 1910 | 4th | 13,738 | 16,484 | Selma | 45%
|
| 1920 | 6th | 15,738 | 16,484 | Selma | 45%
|
| 1930 | 8th | 18,183 | 16,484 | Selma | 45%
|
| 1940 | 8th | 20,103 | 16,484 | Selma | 45%
|
| 1950 | 10th | 22,948 | 16,484 | Selma | 45%
|
| 1910 | 7th (Tie) | 10,687 | 58,950 | Decatur | 36%
|
| 1930 | 10th | 15,758 | 58,950 | Decatur | 36%
|
| 1940 | 10th | 17,018 | 58,950 | Decatur | 36%
|
| 1970 | 8th | 38,393 | 58,950 | Decatur | 36%
|
| 1980 | 8th | 42,830 | 58,950 | Decatur | 36%
|
| 1990 | 7th | 50,049 | 58,950 | Decatur | 36%
|
| 2000 | 8th | 54,384 | 58,950 | Decatur | 36%
|
| 2010 | 8th | 56,137 | 58,950 | Decatur | 36%
|
| 2020 | 10th | 58,128 | 58,950 | Decatur | 36%
|
| 1910 | 7th (tie | 10,687 | 33,010 | Gadsden | 36%
|
| 1920 | 7th | 14,940 | 33,010 | Gadsden | 36%
|
| 1930 | 4th | 25,393 | 33,010 | Gadsden | 36%
|
| 1940 | 4th | 37,393 | 33,010 | Gadsden | 36%
|
| 1950 | 4th | 56,949 | 33,010 | Gadsden | 36%
|
| 1960 | 6th | 59,309 | 33,010 | Gadsden | 36%
|
| 1970 | 6th | 53,738 | 33,010 | Gadsden | 36%
|
| 1980 | 7th | 47,229 | 33,010 | Gadsden | 36%
|
| 1990 | 8th | 43,308 | 33,010 | Gadsden | 36%
|
| 2000 | 10th | 39,003 | 33,010 | Gadsden | 36%
|
| 1870 | 6th | 2,856 | 7,205 | Greenville | 36%
|
| 1880 | 8th | 2,560 | 7,205 | Greenville | 36%
|
| 1890 | 7th* | 6,494 | 58,950 (Neighborhood) | New Albany | 36%
|
| 1950 | 9th | 23,800 | 37,034 | Phenix City | 36%
|
| 1890 | 9th | 4,605 | 23,845 | Bessemer | 27%
|
| 1900 | 7th | 6,449 | 23,845 | Bessemer | 27%
|
| 1910 | 6th | 11,049 | 23,845 | Bessemer | 27%
|
| 1920 | 4th | 18,848 | 23,845 | Bessemer | 27%
|
| 1930 | 7th | 20,919 | 23,845 | Bessemer | 27%
|
| 1940 | 7th | 23,020 | 23,845 | Bessemer | 27%
|
| 1950 | 7th | 28,993 | 23,845 | Bessemer | 27%
|
| 1960 | 9th | 33,302 | 23,845 | Bessemer | 27%
|
| 2010 | 10th | 44,116 | 67,906 | Madison | 27%
|
| 2020 | 9th | 58,751 | 67,906 | Madison | 27%
|
| 1850 | 7th | 1,359 | 15,118 | Talladega | 27%
|
| 1860 | 8th | 1,673 | 15,118 | Talladega | 27%
|
| 1870 | 9th | 1,949 | 15,118 | Talladega | 27%
|
| 1900 | 9th | 5,103 | 15,118 | Talladega | 27%
|
| 1880 | 10th | 2,401 | 9,005 | Tuskegee | 27%
|
| 1850 | 8th | 1,000 | 33,039 | Athens | 18%
|
| 1870 | 5th | 3,185 | 12,549 | Eufaula | 18%
|
| 1880 | 5th | 3,904 | 12,549 | Eufaula | 18%
|
| 1890 | 10th | 4,430 | 12,549 | Eufaula | 18%
|
| 1900 | 10th | 4,532 | 12,548 | Eufaula | 18%
|
| 1880 | 6th | 3,303 | 35,479 | Opelika | 18%
|
| 1850 | 6th | 1,560 | 3,229 | Marion | 9%
|
| 1860 | 9th | 1,408 | 3,228 | Marion | 9%
|
| 1870 | 7th | 2,646 | 3,228 | Marion | 9%
|
| 1960 | 7th | 49,458 | 18,501 | Prichard | 9%
|
| 1970 | 7th | 41,304 | 18,501 | Prichard | 9%
|
| 1980 | 9th | 40,203 | 18,501 | Prichard | 9%
|
| 1860 | 7th | 2,012 | Ghost town, former capital | Cahawba | 0%
|
| 1870 | 10th | 1,761 | Ghost town | Grantville | 0%
|
| 1860 | 6th | 2,130 | Disincorporated | Kingston | 0%
|